But I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed for him that Martin O’Neill’s men get a result that keeps them in contention for the decisive second leg.

Major tournaments like the World Cup or the Euros always hold a bit more interest when there’s a few Rams players on show, no matter what nation they are playing for. It certainly beats watching England at the moment, that’s for sure.

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Of course, England have already booked their place in Russia next year and I’m hoping that the Republic of Ireland and Keogh can do the same.

I’ll also be keeping my fingers crossed for a rapid recovery from his injury and that he is back in action for the Rams soon.

Richard Keogh limps off injured against Reading (Image: Andy Clarke)

I’m constantly amazed at the criticism Keogh still receives from certain sections of the Rams faithful. In terms of the contribution he makes to the team, a case in point was what happened after he went off against Reading.

Anyway, back to tonight’s game. I’m particularly pleased that Denmark are the Republic of Ireland’s opponents because it gives me an excuse to shamelessly talk about the best Danish player I’ve seen play for Derby.

Yes, it’s Mikkel Beck. Just kidding. It’s a name that many Derby County fans will fondly remember - Jacob Laursen.

Laursen was just one of many excellent overseas signings made by Jim Smith after the Rams won promotion to the Premier League in 1996.

He was signed in July that year from Danish side Silkeborg in a deal worth £500,000.

However, his Derby County career did not get off to the best of starts. I remember his debut at the Baseball Ground on the opening day of the 1996/97 season against Leeds United very clearly.

That’s because Laursen scored the first goal of the game - unfortunately it was through his own net, slicing the ball past Russell Hoult. However, his blushes were spared as the game ended 3-3.

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Laursen went on to be a great servant for Derby , making 137 Premier League appearances over four seasons.

While at Derby, he was a member of the Danish national team at the 1998 World Cup in France, but failed to shine in his one and only appearance at the tournament.

In 2000 he actually retired from international football, citing personal reasons, as well as the booing he received by Danish spectators when he came on as a substitute for his 25th appearance for Denmark the previous year.

Clearly, the Danish public did not rate him but Derby County certainly did.

Laursen blasted the ball towards goal and it thundered into the back of the net past his bewildered Danish international colleague Peter Schmeichel. The game ended 1-1, a certain David Beckham scoring United’s equaliser.

Laursen was a model professional and I was sorry to see him leave in 2000. But he wanted to move back to Denmark to be closer to his children.

He did return to England though, signing for Leicester City but it did not work out for him. Pretty soon Laursen was on his travels playing for clubs across Europe before finishing his playing days in 2005 with Danish side FC Fredericia.

The late 1990s was a good time to be a Derby fan. We had quality throughout the team - and Jacob Laursen was part of that quality. He really was a player you could depend upon 99% of the time.

He was for the most part Mr Consistency - but like all human beings, could make the occasional error. No footballer can look back on their career and say that they never made a mistake. That’s what can happen sometimes if you put yourself where the action is, particularly if you’re a defender.

That’s why I hope when the time finally comes to look back on Keogh’s Rams career, like Laursen, we will judge him on his overall contribution to Derby County .